The 19th century in newspaper cuttings 1811

19th century Jersey
From the newspapers in 1811

The Gazette de Cesaree, one of our sources for this page

Our history of 19th century Jersey from newspaper cuttings started with the Jersey Loyalist, an English-language newspaper published from 1825 to 1831. We then moved back to the start of the century, with Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey, the first newspaper to be published in the island in the 1800s, and to appear intermittently in the following years, as well as other titles with similar names, published by different individuals

This was the dawn of an age of great growth and diversification in Jersey, fuelled by an influx of English immigrants over the following 25 years.

This page is part of a project launched by Jerripedia in 2024 to chronicle the history of Jersey through the 19th century using news cuttings from most of the newspapers published during those 100 years.
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Main index page

This page links to separate pages giving year by year coverage from 1800 onwards in the publications active at the time

The life of the earliest 19th century newspapers in Jersey is difficult to follow. At one time, at least, there were two active publications named Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey. There are also periods when either the publication of the title was suspended, or it continued but editions are missing from the collection of La Société Jersiaise, which was digitised and placed in their website in 2024.

Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey was published from 5 July 1800, printed by G Angot and Philippe Mourant. But it soon vanished. Quite what happened after 1800 is uncertain, but the Societe collection has a very erratic set of editions. From 1810 onwards we have used John Stead's publication Gazette de Jersey and Weekly Advertiser and Philip Mourant's title, when available, plus the new Gazette de Cesaree to build as comprehensive a picture of local news as possible.

January

Festivities

Gazette de Cesaree: This week has been remarkable for its festivities. On Monday an elegant entertainment was given by Lady Imhoff. On the same day a ball and supper by Miss Lempriere, to a numerous party of young people.

Tuesday was held at Deal's Hotel, the Regular Assembly, which was numerously attended, and to Daniel Janvrin's persevering exertions in the arduous task which he has undertaken, and which he fulfils with so much credit to himself, and satisfaction to the company, we are indebted for the harmony with which the evening concluded.

On Wednesday a sumptuous dinner was given by Mrs Le Couteur at Belle Vue

On Thursday the sale of Col Knight's most elegant household furniture, china, cut glass and plate, was attended by all the fashionables.

Friday was held La grande assemblee at a public house. Nothing could equal the style of the guests except the elegance which the King and Queens displayed.

Harbour contract

The Greffier was advertising for suppliers of stone for the new harbour quay. Twenty thousand cubic feet of stone was required, commencing in May and continuing for five months. A third of the stones were to be four feet square and the others five to six feet long, faced on all four sides.

New road

The new town to St Aubin road was completed and opened during 1810 and had already proved highly advantageous. Money was still required by the States to finalise payments and another public lottery was schedule to be drawn on 11 March to raise another £6,000.

Wedding

On Saturday the 27th at 5 pm Capt Charles McKenzie, of the 1st Battalion, 60th Regiment, was married at the Deanery to Miss Campbell, eldest daughter of Lieut Campbell, of the 3rd Veteran Battalion. The ceremony was witnessed by the Commanding Officer and other officers of the regiment, and many others. Immediately after the ceremony the happy pair left the town, with some of their friends, in carriages to St Clement.

The old prison before demolition

February

Drownings

On the 11th a boat left Gorey harbour to fish for oysters and capsized. The three men on board all perished: Francois Le Boutillier, of Grouville, who left a widow and eight children; Charles Asplet and Jean Blampied

Mardi Gras

The Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey warned of the approach of Mardi Gras, its 'barbarous customs' and the massacre by gunshot, batons and stones of cockerels and other animals. The parish constables and other police officers had tried to restrict such practices 'so contrary to humanity', and parents could play their part by being strict with their children. These sentiments were echoed by the Gazette de Jersey.

Prison demolition

On the 19 workmen began the demolition of the old prison which will be replaced by a spacious building which is currently being constructed near the General Hospital.

Harbour consultation

Before presenting their final plans to the State for the reconstruction of the Harbour pier, the committee responsible invited all merchants and mariners to send them their observations on the final line of the pier.

High tides

The tides at the end of the month were the highest seen for many years. Almost all the dunes at Samares were inundated and considerable damage was done to the town shops.

Regimental departure

On the 18th the 60th regiment received orders to make ready to depart. It was understood that the Cape of Good Hope was to be their destination.

French captures

On the 20th Les Deux Cousins a captured French vessel loaded with wine and eau de vie arrived at St Helier Harbour having been captured by the privateer Rose. It is said that the Rose has captured the brig Unity of about 120 tons, which will arrive soon.

Soldiers charged

On the 31st the grande enquete heard the cases of soldiers Charles Lange and Vincent Daniel. The former was charged with having broken into and robbed Amice Le Couteur's shop at St Peter. After legal arguments the Court ruled that Daniel should be discharged and sentenced Lange to be hung. But, considering the circumstances it was decided to refer the case to the King to establish whether a lesser penalty should be substituted.

In July it was announced that Lange had been pardoned by the Prince Regent on condition that he spent the rest of his life serving in whichever part of the Army pleased His Royal Highness.

April

Regiment departs

On the 3rd the 60th Regiment departed for the Cape of Good Hope.

Rector's death

On the 4th the Rev Jean La Cloche, aged 71, Rector of Trinity for 45 years, was buried in the town church cemetery.

Money

The States sat on the 2nd to consider changes to the monetary system and failed to reach a conclusion, deciding that the matter was too complicated for them. They decided to ask the Lieut-Governor to refer the subject to the Prince Regent.

Convoy

It was later reported that on 27 April HMS Albacore was 'well at sea' with seven Jersey vessels in convoy. They were Habnab, Speculator, Enterprise, Princess Royal, Tor Abby, Swift and Esther.

May

Company failure

It was announced that P and H Le Masurier and Co had ceased trading. The size of their debt was unknown but it was anticipated that individuals in both Jersey and Guernsey would suffer a considerable loss. The report did not indicate the business of the company.

Inquest

An inquest into the death of Private H Turner of the 57th Regiment concluded that he had died from taking laudanum while intoxicated and in a state of insanity.

Ship recaptured

On the 4th a vessel loaded with wood was blown into St Ouen's Bay by a storm and parishioners took possession of it the following morning.

It proved to be an English vessel which had been captured by a French corsair the previous day, close to the English coast. There were a prize master and four crew on board and they have been taken prisoner.

Artillery inspection

On the 8th the Lieut-Governor, General Don, accompanied by his officers and States Members, attended an artillery demonstration in St Aubin's and St Brelade's Bays. The day closed with a dinner at Government House and entertainment by the officers of the 26th Regiment and the Royal Artillery at Rout's Hotel

Storm

On the 18th a 'most alarming storm of thunder and lightning, continued with violent showers of hail and rain for some time, to the general alarm and distress of the whole island'.

'Most of the inhabitants of the town quitted their beds and remained in the greatest terror during the storm. Happily we do not hear that any material damage was occasioned'.

Robbery

On the 21st the counting house of F Janvrin was broken open and a private drawer in the desk robbed of £50 (£7,500 at 2024 values).

Cemeteries

The Royal Court reminded the parish constables of their responsibility under a 1608 law to ensure that the cemeteries were enclosed to prevent any animals gaining access.

July

Drowning

On the 2nd John Voss, a soldier in the 75th Regiment wanted to beat his wife near the harbour barracks, but was prevented from doing so by several of his comrades. Before he could be arrested he jumped into the sea and drowned. He was said to have been of excellent character and an inquest decided that he had acted in a moment of insanity.

Brig lost

It was announced that the armed brig HMS Firm, commanded by Lieut J Little, was lost after hitting a sand bank in Cancale Bay. It had been in company with the Fylla, which rescued the captain and crew after the Firm had been set on fire.

August

There were no local news items in the editions of the two Gazettes for this month which are available online

September

Accidents

On the 9th the seven-year-old only son of Philippe Clement was kicked in the head by a horse, and despite the prompt attention of Dr Le Hardy, he died that night without recovering consciousness.

A young man working on building Mr Ingouville's house at Le Coie fell from the scaffold on to a mound of stones and died.

October

No local news items were carried by either Gazette during October and November.

December

Currency

The States decided that French currency would no longer be legal tender in the island and that pounds sterling, shillings and pennies would in future be the island's currency.

Royal Commissioners

Royal Commissioners Osgood, Swabey and Hobhouse arrived in Jersey with their secretary on the 13th to consider the island's constitution.

Guardhouse

Contractors were sought for the construction of a guardhouse near the Bonne Nuit barracks.

New chapel

Six Rues Chapel at St Lawrence opened

Commercial buildings

Work started on a row of houses and stores alongside the harbour, to be known as Commercial Buildings

Portelet tower

The coastal tower on Ile au Guerdain at Portlet was completed.